AgroPages-Ihara introduces bioinsecticide Gemstar at Terreno Agro 2014‏-Agricultural news

Gemstar

Category：Biopesticide

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Ihara: Gemstar biopesticide control of Helicoverpa amigera can overcome 80%‏

Ihara, manufacturer and distributor of agrochemicals in Brazil, has launched recently in the country a product specially developed to control the caterpillar Helicoverpa armigera. Gemstar is a biological insecticide developed through a partnership with Certis Research USA, and was introduced in the third edition of Terra Agro, a fair that took place in May 28 and 29 in Patos de Minas, state of Minas Gerais.

"We are going to take advantage of the occasion to introduce Gemstar. It is a biological insecticide to manage caterpillar Helicoverpa, having obtained positive results", says Matheus Pereira, Technical Sales Administrator at Ihara.

Gemstar's active ingredient is a natural nucleopolyhedrovirus that infects the larvae. As the virus is very specific to this type of host, it does not affect beneficial insects, fish, wildlife, animals or humans, and their use does not harm the environment. Gemstar has been used successfully by farmers all over the world to control the earworm on corn, sorghum, greenery, and cotton.

The mechanism of action is simple: caterpillars which attack a powdered culture with Gemstar are infected by ingestion of virus particles deposited on the plant. The larva stopped to eat, while the virus multiplies within it, destroying its internal organs. When the earworm disrupts, it releases billion of new viral particles end up being eaten by other caterpillars (from the same generation or later) in the same area.

"The population of Helicoverpa armigera in Brazil has reached an unprecedented level in the agriculture of that country", says Mike Dimock, P.h.D and director of Certis Research USA. "The situation, however, shows how the biopesticides became important tools to manage pests today. Gemstar employs a new mode of action that is highly effective on controlling Helicoverpa armigera. The product can be used on organic agriculture and on programs of resistance management. Being free from waste, Brazilian producers could export their crop treated with Gemstar virtually anywhere in the world", explained Mike.

Participating at the event for the third year in a row, Ihara has helped to idealize the fair in 2012. Terrena Agro introduces innovative products such as fertilizers, seeds, agrochemicals, and precision agriculture. "Our participation is crucial, since we are a major supplier of inputs to that customer and also the opportunity to present our innovations to a large group of producers direct customers of Terrena", explains Pereira.